^ At the present time the greatest need seems to be that we should return to the fundamentals of spiritual religion. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that both the old seats of authority, the infallible Church and the infallible Book, are fiercely assailed, and that our faith needs reinforcements. These can only come from the depths of the religious consciousness itself; and if summoned from thence they will not be found wanting. The " impregnable rock " is neither an institution nor a book, but a life or experience. Faith, which is an affirmation of the basal personality, is its own evidence and justification. Under normal conditions it will always be strongest in the healthiest minds. There is and can be no appeal from it. If, then, our hearts, duly prepared for the reception of the Divine Guest, at length say to us, " One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see," we may, in St. John's words, " have confi- dence toward God." ^
But let us also undertake what will more directly serve others. Beginning early in a Guild, a Christian Endeavour or
1 W. R. Inge.
I CHRONICLES xxviii. 9 503
other Society, let us learn to speak or to pray, for the effort will become difficult as the years slip by. Let us guard against indolence in youth, if we would not become idlers in manhood. And let us not delude ourselves with the idea that we can do great service while meanwhile we do not even attempt small service ; for the one fits for the other.
But even when we " know God " we have to make efforts to have our service correspond with our knowledge, for we have way- ward hearts and obstinate wills, which need to be stimulated, sometimes to be coerced and forcibly diverted from unworthy objects. Therefore the exhortation to serve God " with a perfect heart and with a willing mind " is always needful and often hard. Entire surrender and glad obedience are the Christian ideal, and continual effort to approximate to it will be ours in the degree in which we " know God." There is no worse slavery than that of the half-hearted Christian whose yoke is not padded with love. Eeiuctant obedience is disobedience in God's sight.
1. A perfect heart. — If "perfect" means sinless, none of us can obey that command. But " perfect " means here undivided. It refers to the work of one who is not thinking partly of his own advantage while professing to please God ; who, instead of spasms of piety, has the constant mind, which does not think of God on Sunday only, while forgetting Him all the week. It implies thoroughness also, a service of reality as well as of purpose ; and has about it such courage that it waits for no applause and shrinks from no unpopularity.
^ The " perfect man " of the Old Testament is one who, like David, can dance before the Lord with all his might — that is to be enthusiastic in God's service.^
To " serve God with a perfect heart " is the sum and substance of all practical religion. It is required of all persons of all ages, of young as well as of old. It is required that we should endeavour to have our heart and affections perfect towards God ; that is, that we should love Him more than any or all of the things of this world ; that we should be ever seeking what will please Him, and avoiding what will grieve Him ; that we should live as in His constant presence, and be thoroughly resigned, and satisfied
* A. B. Bruce.
504 KNOWLEDGE AND SERVICE
with what He orders for us. This is to serve God with a perfect heart. And it is plain, that any person who endeavours to lead Buch a life as this, will be very strict with himself, very watchful and suspicious of his own faults and errors, and, as long as he lives, will be striving to grow better, according to the solemn admonition of our Saviour. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
2. A willing mind. — To serve with a " willing mind " implies that we are not merely compelled to service by circumstances, or persuaded by friends, or impelled by fear ; but that we understand what the Psalmist said and Jesus quoted about Himself : " I delight to do thy will, 0 my God ; yea, thy law is within my heart."
O Christian soldier ! shouldst thou rue Life and its toils, as others do — Wear a sad frown from day to day, And garb thy soul in hodden-gray ? Oh ! rather shouldst thou smile elate, Unquelled by sin, unawed by hate, — Thy lofty-statured spirit dress In moods of royal stateliness; — Eor say, what service so divine As that, ah ! warrior heart, of thine. High pledged alike through gain or loss, To thy brave banner of the cross?
Yea! what hast thou to do with gloom. Whose footsteps spurn the conquered tomb? Thou, that through dreariest dark canst see A smiling immortality ?
Leave to the mournful, doubting slave.
Who deems the whole wan earth a grave,